Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
When most people go to see a doctor, they generally place their trust in that doctor’s words and actions. Afterall, physicians are highly trained to care for us in our most vulnerable states. Whether we’re ill, injured, or seeking medical advice, we rely on health care providers to have our best interests in mind at all times. Unfortunately, as with any person in any profession, doctors can be negligent, careless, and some may even commit criminal acts. In fact, a Boston-area fertility doctor who resigned in 2014 after sexual assault allegations threatened his career, has just been accused by two more patients. Contact a Boston Sexual Assault Lawyer Today.
Boston Fertility Doctor Had Long History of Patient-Sex Abuse
Dr. Roger Ian Hardy, medical director for the Fertility Centers of New England, has just been accused of sexual assault by two more patients who were treated at the clinic. Earlier this month, a Marlborough woman and her husband were the first to file suit against Hardy and his employer. The claimant alleges that Hardy assaulted her while she was under anesthesia for an egg retrieval procedure in 2013. According to the lawsuit, the victim awoke from anesthesia with “severe vaginal trauma and bleeding,” and Hardy told her the injuries were just a “normal part of the procedure.” The lawsuit also claims that the Reading-based clinic knew about Hardy’s history of patient-sex abuse but kept it from patients. A second woman has just hired an attorney and alleges that she was also touched inappropriately by Hardy during a 2012 ultrasound test.
Further investigation into the case has revealed that these two women are not alone. A reporter from the Globe interviewed three more patients who accused Hardy of similar acts of sexual misconduct or assault. In fact, according to former Princeton University classmates, Hardy has been assaulting women for decades. Two of the alleged assaults of Princeton students were reported to officials at the university, and a third woman reported her assault to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. In all of these cases, little to nothing was done to address the reports of assault. College administrators, fertility clinic owners, and regulators were all notified of Hardy’s actions but took minimal steps to resolve the behavior. Hardy, who is now living in Thailand, declined to be interviewed about the allegations against him.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Helping Victims of Sexual Assault for More than 50 Years
In addition to the potential for emotional and physical injury and trauma, sexual assault by a doctor is a serious violation of the doctor-patient relationship. If a physician is found guilty of sexual misconduct, it can result in the loss of his or her license, and even jail time. Doctors are in a position of trust, authority, and power. When they use that power to intimidate, confuse, or manipulate a patient, they should be held accountable. Approximately 80% of patient-sexual abuse victims are adult women and about 91% of the accused are male. If you have been the victim of any type of doctor-patient sexual misconduct, the legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. Our compassionate, knowledgeable lawyers understand the sensitive nature of sexual assault cases, and we will be with you every step of the way.
